from staff reports
Executive Editor Fredie Carmichael announced this week that Steve Gillespie has been promoted to managing editor of The Meridian Star.
Gillespie, 43, joined The Star as a staff writer in April 2001. He was named assistant editor in May 2005.
“We are excited to have Steve in this important role in our newsroom,” Carmichael said. “Steve knows the community and this newspaper. His enthusiasm and positive attitude serves our newsroom well.
“As an extremely talented journalist, I’m confident he will effectively manage our news coverage — both in print and online.”
Gillespie replaces Suzanne Monk, who resigned last week to pursue other interests.
Before joining The Star, Gillespie served as editor of The Daily Dunklin Democrat in Kennett, Mo., where he worked since 1994. Prior to that he served as editor and managing editor of several weekly newspapers in Mississippi, The News-Commercial in Collins, The Deer Creek Pilot in Rolling Fork, The Sunflower Progress in Drew and his hometown newspaper, The Osceola Times, in Osceola, Ark.
He has received awards from the Arkansas and Mississippi Press Associations for coverage of industry, in-depth reporting, feature writing, news reporting and general interest columns. He was also responsible for many design and local news coverage awards The Democrat received from the Missouri Press Association.
Gillespie moved to Meridian after he and his wife, Meridian native Leigh Ziller Gillespie, married in Memphis, Tenn., in January 2001. He has five stepchildren, Allyn, Brynn, Laney, Devyn and Gray Chesney.
He is a member of the Episcopal Church of the Mediator and is president of the Meridian Civitan Club.
Gillespie, who has worked exclusively in newspapers since 1989, also worked in radio as an announcer and program director for six years while writing a weekly newspaper column for The Citizen Journal in Arkansas.
He attended Arkansas State University, where he majored in radio/tv and fine arts with an emphasis in graphic design.
Gillespie said The Star has a great news staff with excellent potential.
“This is an exciting time for The Meridian Star and I appreciate the opportunity to play a major role in some important changes we’re experiencing,” Gillespie said. “Newspapers are a lot different than they were when I first started working in the business. Under our current leadership we are not only embracing new ideas, techniques and technology, we’re determined to be a leader in those areas.
“Examples of that include our extended Web site coverage at www.meridianstar.com, and some of our design changes we’ve made over the
last six months since Fredie Carmichael returned to The Star as our new editor.”
Gillespie was voted Best Newspaper Reporter in 2002 and 2006 through The Star’s Reader’s Choice awards and he was named The Meridian Star’s Employee of the Year in 2004.
Local News
Star names new managing editor
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In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
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Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
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Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
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Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
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Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
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